Vietnamese (yeah, I know there is a Pho thread)

[Patricio Swayze 17,058]

If you put Pho in the title, then I assume the thread is only about Pho. Let’s talk Vietnamese in general…so bang mi, bun (my favorite), rice plates and yes, pho.

 

If you live in Houston and like Vietnamese, you probably have been to a dozen different places. Some of my favorites have close, or changed hands.

 

Currently my favorite is close to my hood, Banh Mi Etc. I am a hardcore bun fan. Typically pork, but this place does a lemongrass beef bowl that is phenomenal. Since I have been working from home so much, I have been eating there twice a week. They greet me by name, which means I have a problem.

[Patricio Swayze 17,058]

*banh.

If Bang Mi. That works too.

[Innocent Bystander II 8]

Off the top of my head and some I like:  

Banh Mi - Nguyen Ngo in chinatown.  Pho Binh Heights actually has a good banh mi as well. If you like soft shell crab, their cua ra moi (salt/pepper crab) is pretty good too. 

Bun - Have you had the bun cha Hanoi at Thien Thanh in chinatown? It's cash only PSA 

Com Tam - Thuan Kieu is solid. Their banh xeo is a good deal too. Used to be 7 bucks but I think it's $10 now.  Their Canh Chua and claypot fish is solid too.  Pho Dakao has a pretty good rice plate as well. 

Find a Bo Ne place - Vietnamese steak and eggs.  Legit. 

[Asithappens 974]

I've been waiting for Les Givral's to re-open for over a year now. It ain't gonna happen. So sad. 

There's a great place in Stafford called Don Cafe that has outstanding Banh Mi. Across the street from Dulles High School. 

[52-80 19,282]

This is the jam

“broken rice” (just half grain), grilled pork, pork floss, and some other sides

[Patricio Swayze 17,058]

Needs a runny egg on top of the rice.

[Hornbeliever 722]

 Bahn Mi n More on 290 is our go to...But we are one-trick ponies when it comes to Vietnamese and only order banh mi.  It's really good there.

[Tylerocks 2,557]

Living in Montrose and previously working downtown, there are a few in the area

 

Midtown:

Thien An and Cali Sandwich, both in Midtown are solid Banh Mi with Les Givral closing down.

Used to hit Simply Pho from time to time.

Mai's

Montrose:

Kau Ba is really good...if a bit elevated for Vietnamese food.

Lua Viet Kitchen is really good too.

Downtown:

Huynh on the East side is solid.

[Enchubben 5,563]

Mai’s on Milam is the truth

[Grimas 671]

52 minutes ago, Enchubben said:

Mai’s on Milam is the truth

I didn't realize Mai's reopened after the fire...

[gmr548 16,645]

Les Baget in GOOF is quite good. I imagine there's equal or better in town, and it is a little pricey, but it's very good and close to us. We order probably once a week.

[Patricio Swayze 17,058]

Living in Montrose and previously working downtown, there are a few in the area
 
Midtown:
Thien An and Cali Sandwich, both in Midtown are solid Banh Mi with Les Givral closing down.
Used to hit Simply Pho from time to time.
Mai's
Montrose:
Kau Ba is really good...if a bit elevated for Vietnamese food.
Lua Viet Kitchen is really good too.
Downtown:
Huynh on the East side is solid.

Cali is/was great. I haven’t been in years, but it’s a bastion of Vietnamese food in Houston as far as I am concerned.

[Hornbeliever 722]

Anyone tried Blind Goat on Long Point in da SB yet?

[Hornbeliever 722]

On 3/1/2023 at 6:31 PM, Hornbeliever said:

Anyone tried Blind Goat on Long Point in da SB yet?

Masterquoting myself.  Finally tried Blind Goat.  Solid place that deserves a repeat trip for us. Not a 10, not an 8.  Like an 8.8

Quite delish brisket fried rice and crawfish noodles.  Bone marrow was tasty but lacked quantity so wouldn't order it again and egg rolls were good but not great.

 

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

3 hours ago, Hornbeliever said:

Masterquoting myself.  Finally tried Blind Goat.  Solid place that deserves a repeat trip for us. Not a 10, not an 8.  Like an 8.8

Quite delish brisket fried rice and crawfish noodles.  Bone marrow was tasty but lacked quantity so wouldn't order it again and egg rolls were good but not great.

 

I wish them luck. I want Long Point to continue to evolve as an eating destination, but that menu is something else. I think people want something very accessible like Roostar or something very authentic. Not sure if hipster Vietnamese is going to work. 

[Hornbeliever 722]

1 hour ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I wish them luck. I want Long Point to continue to evolve as an eating destination, but that menu is something else. I think people want something very accessible like Roostar or something very authentic. Not sure if hipster Vietnamese is going to work. 

First, completely agree.  My comments to my wife were "this is unnecessarily complex for Vietnamese" but they saved themselves with some good dishes.  Still find it unnecessary.

Also, we had reservations at 500 pm because no other time on a Friday.  Didn't believe it until I saw it.  Place was hopping. 

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

2 minutes ago, Hornbeliever said:

First, completely agree.  My comments to my wife were "this is unnecessarily complex for Vietnamese" but they saved themselves with some good dishes.  Still find it unnecessary.

Also, we had reservations at 500 pm because no other time on a Friday.  Didn't believe it until I saw it.  Place was hopping. 

Well there ya go. Hipster Viet works. 

[NeverMarryAStripper 22,035]

On 5/14/2023 at 1:01 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

I wish them luck. I want Long Point to continue to evolve as an eating destination, but that menu is something else. I think people want something very accessible like Roostar or something very authentic. Not sure if hipster Vietnamese is going to work. 

I’m eating a Belly Burger right now.  I’m with you in hoping that Long Point continues to develop as a culinary destination.  That block now has Fenges, the Blind Goat, stuffed Belly, and some new Raman place called JINYA.  

[Hornbeliever 722]

On 7/7/2023 at 7:21 PM, NeverMarryAStripper said:

I’m eating a Belly Burger right now.  I’m with you in hoping that Long Point continues to develop as a culinary destination.  That block now has Fenges, the Blind Goat, stuffed Belly, and some new Raman place called JINYA.  

So how is the Belly Burger?  Menu looks delish and loaded tots be calling me.

[Smax 3,800]

On 5/14/2023 at 1:01 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

I wish them luck. I want Long Point to continue to evolve as an eating destination, but that menu is something else. I think people want something very accessible like Roostar or something very authentic. Not sure if hipster Vietnamese is going to work. 

You also have Diguast/Diversion near Antoine

[elfenix 34,387]

On 7/7/2023 at 7:21 PM, NeverMarryAStripper said:

I’m eating a Belly Burger right now.  I’m with you in hoping that Long Point continues to develop as a culinary destination.  That block now has Fenges, the Blind Goat, stuffed Belly, and some new Raman place called JINYA.  

is a ginormous chain

[gmr548 16,645]

On 5/14/2023 at 3:01 PM, Hornbeliever said:

First, completely agree.  My comments to my wife were "this is unnecessarily complex for Vietnamese" but they saved themselves with some good dishes.  Still find it unnecessary.

Also, we had reservations at 500 pm because no other time on a Friday.  Didn't believe it until I saw it.  Place was hopping. 

Place was chalk full when we went at 7:30pm on a Friday a few weeks ago. Our food ranged from pretty good to excellent. The garlic butter crawfish noodles; good lord. So simple but so delicious.

If it were just some random new place trying it out it might struggle, but it's just a new space. Blind Goat has been around and was a James Beard nominee. Christine Ha won Master Chef and has been James Beard nominated multiple times. It would attract a crowd anywhere in town.

[DoobieWah 1,476]

* chock

[MAROON 445]

Just had a damn good Banh Mi at a small place on Yorktown (between Westheimer and San Felipe) called In D Kitchen.  Really fabulous. I had only had their Pho in the last which is also very good 

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

19 minutes ago, MAROON said:

Just had a damn good Banh Mi at a small place on Yorktown (between Westheimer and San Felipe) called In D Kitchen.  Really fabulous. I had only had their Pho in the last which is also very good 

Closed on weekends. Is it in an office building?

[MAROON 445]

On 9/7/2023 at 1:41 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

Closed on weekends. Is it in an office building?

No.  Directly across the street from The Creole apartments.  In a shitty little retail building. 

[Patricio Swayze 17,058]

I usually eat Vietnamese once a week. I had skipped a couple of weeks so I thought I should fix that with a vermicelli bowl. It comes with eggrolls but I added the running egg. Delicious. This was at Banh Mi Etc.

[zlavydra 2,125]

Do you guys recommend Huynh downtown? 

[tx 3 putt 77,962]

6 hours ago, zlavydra said:

Do you guys recommend Huynh downtown? 

yes go before they close down 

[zlavydra 2,125]

1 hour ago, tx 3 putt said:

yes go before they close down 

Will that be before next weekend (3/21 - 3/24)?

[tx 3 putt 77,962]

36 minutes ago, zlavydra said:

Will that be before next weekend (3/21 - 3/24)?

you’re good 

[Brodarious Hamm Sandwich 126]

Leaving out from Austin on I-10 tomorrow morning, passing through Houston and looking for a great banh mi lunch. I have Yelped and Googled, but are there any particular favorites you all would recommend?

We have a huge Vietnamese community back home and eat banh mi weekly, but I’ve heard Houston has some of the best anywhere. Thanks!

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

1 hour ago, Brodarious Hamm Sandwich said:

Leaving out from Austin on I-10 tomorrow morning, passing through Houston and looking for a great banh mi lunch. I have Yelped and Googled, but are there any particular favorites you all would recommend?

We have a huge Vietnamese community back home and eat banh mi weekly, but I’ve heard Houston has some of the best anywhere. Thanks!

The original Roostar is off of 10, north on Gessner. They serve a chopped ribeye banh mi that is terrific.

A lot of people like Cali Sandwiches in Midtown, but I’ve watched them microwave my sandwich before. Just a turn off for me. 
 

I’ll defer to the board for Asiatown recommendations. 

[Brodarious Hamm Sandwich 126]

Awesome, thank you!

[Brodarious Hamm Sandwich 126]

A+ rec for Roostar. Tried the pork, ribeye, and house special. Very different from the banh mi we get at home but absolutely delicious! They do a hell of a business but are ridiculously efficient. Easy off and back on the interstate, too. Thanks again!

[Slacks 6,921]

Damn.

Now I want Bun Thit Nuong.

[HenryJames 66,307]

13 hours ago, Slacks said:

Now I want Bun Thit Nuong.

Too Beaucoup

[Hornbeliever 722]

On 4/10/2024 at 11:23 PM, billfromlaketravis said:

The original Roostar is off of 10, north on Gessner. They serve a chopped ribeye banh mi that is terrific.

A lot of people like Cali Sandwiches in Midtown, but I’ve watched them microwave my sandwich before. Just a turn off for me. 
 

I’ll defer to the board for Asiatown recommendations. 

Many days over the past seven years, I’ve eaten lunch somewhere near 10 and between Heights Blvd and the Beltway (I don’t cross as Niko Niko is my limit).  I also love Vietnamese.

how did i not know about Roostar?  Will need to check out next week.

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

26 minutes ago, Hornbeliever said:

Many days over the past seven years, I’ve eaten lunch somewhere near 10 and between Heights Blvd and the Beltway (I don’t cross as Niko Niko is my limit).  I also love Vietnamese.

how did i not know about Roostar?  Will need to check out next week.

The original is for sure better than the second location on Richmond. Lemon pepper wings might be the best in city.

I’d skip the boxes, apps, and soups. Curry is fine, but they really shine on banh mi and the wings. The ribeye and pork banh mi are terrific. 

 

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

On 4/11/2024 at 6:28 PM, Brodarious Hamm Sandwich said:

A+ rec for Roostar. Tried the pork, ribeye, and house special. Very different from the banh mi we get at home but absolutely delicious! They do a hell of a business but are ridiculously efficient. Easy off and back on the interstate, too. Thanks again!

I’m glad it worked out for you buddy. Cali and the Asiatown places are a bitch to get to if you’re just passing through. Roostar might not be the best, but it’s damn good and convenient. 
 

Roostar is right by the old school strip of Asian restaurants on Long Point. Terrific Korean food across the street, and the GOAT Thai Racha was over there too. RIP.

Thai Racha might have been the best Thai restaurant in the city when I was growing up. Typical Houston. Renovated Church’s Chicken location with a drive thru. It looked like a divey shit hole and only took cash. 

[speed817 19,610]

Guess I'm late to reply but there are 3 old bánh mì places that us Vietnamese people go to in Houston and for different reasons/likes. 

Don cafe - best thịt nướng

Thim Hing - best bread

Nguyễn Ngọ - best pate and bơ (Vietnamese mayo) 

Nguyễn Ngọ is my personal favorite because I love their pate and you can customize your sandwiches with whatever meats and how many meats you want. And their pâté chaud is the bomb.

Then An is another spot that's decent if you're in the downtown area and don't want to drive to Bellaire.

[tx 3 putt 77,962]

On 4/12/2024 at 7:12 PM, Hornbeliever said:

Many days over the past seven years, I’ve eaten lunch somewhere near 10 and between Heights Blvd and the Beltway (I don’t cross as Niko Niko is my limit).  I also love Vietnamese.

how did i not know about Roostar?  Will need to check out next week.

Longpoint is literally korea town

[tx 3 putt 77,962]

On 4/11/2024 at 6:28 PM, Brodarious Hamm Sandwich said:

A+ rec for Roostar. Tried the pork, ribeye, and house special. Very different from the banh mi we get at home but absolutely delicious! They do a hell of a business but are ridiculously efficient. Easy off and back on the interstate, too. Thanks again!

they opened a roostar on navigation by me, need to try it out 

[billfromlaketravis 11,630]

Surly loves to shit on it, but the original Kim Son is closing in 2025. I’ll probably go in a couple weeks for once last hurrah.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/kim-son-vietnamese-restaurant-eado-closing-19919812.php

[mbtex 683]

What is best place for Banh Mi in Southeast Houston

Edited November 19 by mbtex

[gsoda3 3,311]

On 4/13/2024 at 12:17 PM, speed817 said:

Guess I'm late to reply but there are 3 old bánh mì places that us Vietnamese people go to in Houston and for different reasons/likes. 

Don cafe - best thịt nướng

Thim Hing - best bread

Nguyễn Ngọ - best pate and bơ (Vietnamese mayo) 

Nguyễn Ngọ is my personal favorite because I love their pate and you can customize your sandwiches with whatever meats and how many meats you want. And their pâté chaud is the bomb.

Then An is another spot that's decent if you're in the downtown area and don't want to drive to Bellaire.

You don't like Lee's?

[speed817 19,610]

5 minutes ago, gsoda3 said:

You don't like Lee's?

Lee's is trash.  Only reason to go there is for their cafe sua da

[speed817 19,610]

1 hour ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Surly loves to shit on it, but the original Kim Son is closing in 2025. I’ll probably go in a couple weeks for once last hurrah.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/kim-son-vietnamese-restaurant-eado-closing-19919812.php

Dang....Went to a bunch wedding reception there. Good times.....

[gsoda3 3,311]

3 hours ago, speed817 said:

Lee's is trash.  Only reason to go there is for their cafe sua da

Most people seem to go there for nostalgic reasons but you're the first person I know who hates them.  They get points for the drive through.

[speed817 19,610]

1 hour ago, gsoda3 said:

Most people seem to go there for nostalgic reasons but you're the first person I know who hates them.  They get points for the drive through.

I wouldn't say I HATE it.  When I was younger, I ate it all the time because there was one down the street from my work when I lived in SoCal.  It is just not as good as the joints around it.  If someone gave me one I'd probably eat it.  But if I was to be in that area, I'd personally go to Nguyen Ngo in the same parking lot and then pick up a coffee at Lee's.  Lee's bread just isn't that great IMHO.  It becomes rock hard if you try to eat it the next day.